Initial Audio SourceLab: Who Needs Serum, Anyway?
3,7 / 5,0 | 
Initial Audio SourceLab is one of the most powerful alternatives to Xfer Records Serum and similar soft synths. Recently updated to version 2.0, SourceLab is now even more versatile.
Initial Audio SourceLab 2: Wavetables Meet Samples
First released in the summer of 2025, SourceLab boasts an impressive list of features. Offering a combination of wavetable synthesis and samples, a modular modulation system, and a powerful built-in sequencer, it is a powerful sound design tool with plenty of tricks up its sleeve. A couple of weeks ago, the software synth made the jump to version 2.0.
Each of the six independent sound sources can operate in one of three modes: wavetable oscillator, sampler, or loop slicer. This means that SourceLab can deliver anything from hard-hitting wavetable basses and leads to virtual analog sounds to expressive multi-sampled sounds with several velocity layers.
In addition to the over 300 included wavetables, SourceLab imports wavetables in Sektor and Serum formats. You can even create your own using an AI-powered assistant. Multisamples are automatically mapped after importing. And the loop slicer converts loop markers into MIDI data, making it easy to get creative with your loops in the sequencer.
The modular modulation system lets you easily map the various modulation sources to the destinations of your choice using virtual patch cables. There are 14 modulator slots and one master slot, which you can fill with the envelopes, shapers, and LFOs of your choice, opening up vast sound design possibilities. Version 2.0 introduces a MIDI learn feature for easy mapping of external controllers. Moreover, SourceLab also includes a powerful built-in sequencer with six layers and piano roll editing.
Want a software synth that not only sounds great, but also looks the part? New in SourceLab 2 is a skin editor that lets you create custom skins using a drag&drop system – no scripting required! Over 25 skins are already included.
Price and Compatibility
Initial Audio SourceLab 2 is available from Thomann* for $163 / £149 / €169.
The software synth runs on macOS 10.13 or higher and Windows 7 or higher in VST, AU, and AAX formats.
More Information
*This post contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!
This might also interest you
